Today I'm switching gears and heading back into the annual catalogue. Do you ever get so excited about the new mini catalogues, and all the wonderful new product, that you kind of forget about the annual catalogue? As a demonstrator, I do this all the time, totally forgetting about all the other wonderful stamp sets I have.

My card today features the Photopolymer stamp sets: Bravo(Greetings) and Perpetual Birthday Calendar(Stars). Don't let the word: calendar throw you off. This set is great for adding extra little details to a design.

To start, I stamped the greeting: Congratulations, with VersaMark and embossed it with clear embossing powder. Then I stamped the stars in the 3 different ink colours, making sure to stamp over the greeting a much as I could. Once I was finish stamping, I used a sponge dauber to clean the ink off my greeting and to spread it around.

At this point, my greeting still didn't stand out as much as wanted it to, so I used my sponge dauber and swirled Pink Pirouette over top of it. Once I was happy with it, I wiped off any ink left with a kleenex. If you find that your embossing lost it's shine, just run the heat tool over if for a few seconds and it should shine back up.

So I happy to say, that I finally got on board and purchased the Home & Hearth Thinlits Dies!
Say What!?!
I didn't have them already???
I know, I know... terrible.
But I can't have it all... can I?
I avoided them in the holiday catalogue as I already had TOO MUCH from that catalogue... and yes, I have TOO MUCH from this catalogue too, but I couldn't resist them any longer!

I finally got a chance to play with my Rose Wonder Bundle! It has been sitting on my crafting table for waaaay to long.

Of course, I immediately pulled out the Rose Garden Thinlits, and cut out a bunch! I love how intricate and detailed they are! They are so elegant!

For my card today, I actually used both the positive and negative cuts outs of the large flower thinlit.

I cut one out in Rich Razzleberry and the other, in Blackberry Bliss cardstock and then swapped their components. Before placing my Blackberry Bliss pieces into my Rich Razzleberry outline, I sponged daubed each piece with Blackberry Bliss ink. I glued the outline flower onto Blackberry Bliss cardstock and then basically puzzle pieced my flower back together, gluing everything down. To finish it off, I cut the flower out.

I also used the positive and negative of the branch die cut, but not in the same way as the flower. I have the actually die cut in Gold Foil cardstock underneath the flower and it's negative cut outs on the side and top of the flower, making it look like little buds.

Hello and welcome! Today I'm sharing a card that I created to participate in the Global Design Project: Theme Challenge. The theme is Balloons, and since I have a lot of new product with balloons in it, I thought I would play along! This is Global Design Project # 23.

My card today features the new Party Punch Pack... well actually, just one of the punches from the pack... the balloon!

My colour combo is Whisper White, Bermuda Bay, Tangelo Twist, Daffodil Delight, and Pool Party. I punched out all the balloons and then sponge daubed them with their coordinating colour of ink, to make them look 3 dimensional.

Washi Tape? Yep! I used it for the pleat at the bottom of my card. What do you think? Does it work?

Do you want to know how I did it? Well, you're in luck! Scroll down for the tutorial.

Start out by cutting a strip of Vellum Cardstock 3/8" x 11". Then place it on the sticky side of the glitter tape, along the edge.

On the other edge, run a strip of Sticky Strip, approximately the same length. Note: I recommend leaving your washi tape attach to its roll. That way, once you start... um.. pleating!?, and you find that you need more length, you can just add more vellum and sticky strip and continue on with no interruptions.

Remove the sticky strip backing and begin to fold your washi tape back and forth, creating the pleated look. *I really have no idea how else to describe it beyond that... so hopefully the picture helps. LOL. As I created my pleat, I would fold and pinch the top part with the sticky strip (helping it stick), while trying not to fold the bottom, vellum part, in hopes to keep the bottom curvy... Does that make sense???

To keep everything secure, stick a strip of sticky strip on the back side and front side of your pleat. You can then remove the backings and stick the pleated washi to your project.

Well, I hope you enjoyed my project today, make sure to check out the Global Design Project to see more balloon creations, currently there are 101 entries!!! Happy Creating!

Do you live in Canada?To order this Punch Pack orother Stampin' Up! product,Shop on-line at:My Online Store.

So... Have you gotten all of your "wants" from the Occasions catalogue yet? Was the Bloomin' Love Bundle on your list? I must admit flowery heart sets aren't usually my thing, but when Stampin' Up! sent me this bundle to present at OnStage, I instantly fell in love with it!

At first glance this set may look like a Valentine's set but it's not; It is SO much more. So don't be packing this bundle away just because the big day has passed.

Today I'm sharing a pillow gift that I made for my roommate when her and I were at OnStage in November. Inside was a variety of SU goodies for her to play with.

I stamped the flower images on the Muslin bag with Rose Red ink. To get it so vibrant I stamped it 3 times... pull out that Stamp-a-ma-jig!

The tag is the Note Tag Punch and I stamped it with Garden Green and Soft Suede Ink.

Click for a clearer view.

The beautiful flowers were created with the Bloomin' Heart Thinlits. This set of thinlits includes 2 little coordinating flowers. To create these 3D flowers I cut out 4 large and 4 small flowers (The smaller flower is only 4 small flower cut outs). I then sponge daubed their edges with Rose Red Ink and layered them together. Once they were all glued together, I scrunched them up, fluffed them up, to give them some texture. To finish them off, I placed a pearl in their centres.

Hello and Welcome to another Stamp Review Crew Blog Hop! Today we're doing things a little differently. Usually a Stamp Review Crew hop features just one chosen stamp set, but for today's hop we are featuring any of the 2016 Sale-A-Bration stamp sets! So there is lots of inspiration to see!

If you're hopping in, then you just came from the Talented Tanya Boser's Blog. If you're just joining me, No problem! Simply start here and go all the way around using the buttons below!

Today I'm excited to be sharing the Sale-A-Bration stamp set: Pedal Pusher! If you don't recognize this one, don't worry! You haven't missed out! This Sale-A-Bration stamp set is available starting tomorrow (Feb 16th).

To get my bird, the hearts and the basket to stand out, I stamped them on coloured cardstock, fussy cut them out and glued them on top. I like fussy cutting, but I must admit, those last few hearts were challenging!

So... What do you think? For some reason this doesn't feel like a typical Martha card to me, which is okay. I was trying to do something different then usual... you know... like not automatically reaching for the whisper white card stock... Anyone else guilty of that?

Anyways... before I send you off to the next blog, I thought I'd share one more little inspiration with you. While I was working on my card, my 5 year old son came in and wanted to craft with me. Of course he wanted to use the bike too and here is what he created. How cute is that!?! That's mommy and daddy riding the bike. Yep! He beat me on the cuteness level!

Hello and Welcome to the premiere of the Fancy Folds Blog Hop! We are a team of Stampin' Up! demonstrators, who have come together to showcase different folding projects each month. Today our design team is excited to showcase the easel card.

If you're already hopping then you just came from the Talented Delphine Lorelli's Blog. If you're just joining me, no problem! Just use the "Next" Button below and hop all the way around!

So I must admit, that I have never made an easel card before... what!?!
I know, I know... Bad! I've been doing this for over 10 years... but nowadays, When I sit down to craft, I just automatically start to design for the standard card... So It was really nice to branch out and try something new again.

I couldn't believe how easy the easel card was to make. Just 2 score lines and 2 folds, that's it! (Just google "easel card" and you'll find plenty of resources)
For my card today I used the stamp set: A Nice Cuppa and the coordinating framelits: Cups & Kettles. This is such a cute bundle!

Hello and Welcome! Thank you for joining us today for a Sale-a-Bration International Stampin' Up! Blog hop. If you are already hopping then you've just came from the talented Krista Driessen's Blog. If you're just starting, No Problem! Just use the list below and visit each blog. You won't want to miss a single blog as we have an incredible group of Stampin' Up! Demonstrators highlighting some of the new 2016 Sale-a-Bration items.

Right now you're in London, Ontario. Canada and you are about to go around the world to different locations to see different inspirations! Enjoy!

Today I decided to share the Sale-a-bration stamp set: Hello. I love how this set comes with little images that you can put above the "e" and the "o" and the "scripty" "Hello" just screams happy, happy, happy!

Click for a better view.

For my card today, I used the "Hello" stamp set up with the "It's My Party" Washi Tape (LOVE IT!). I used Melon Mambo, Mint Macaron, Basic Black and Whisper White cardstock and my background is stamped in Smokey Slate ink (2nd Generation). I used Crushed Curry ink for the hat and Basic Black ink for the "Birthday Girl" greeting.

So... Do you like my spirals? I think they're pretty fun and festive... Did you notice that they are made with the Two-Tone Baker's twine? How FUN is that!?!

Now before you ask... ... ... ... ... Here's how I made them!!!

You will need the following supplies:

- Fabric Stiffener. (I used "Stiffy" made by Plaid.)

- A bowl or little container to pour the fabric stiffener into

- Plastic straws

- Scissors

- Wax Paper

Instructions:

- Lay a sheet of wax paper down to protect your surface and to rest your spirals on, while they dry.

- Cut slits into either end of your straws. This will help hold your twine onto the straw when wrapping and also hold it in place when finishing. *** If your straw has an accordion portion, cut if off.

- To determine the length of twine you will need, simply wrap the twine around your straw and cut. Then remove it from the straw.

- Next: place your twine into the fabric stiffener and submerge it so it is completely covered.

- Grab the end of your twine out of the stiffener and pull it through your thumb and finger to squeeze off the excess liquid.

- Slide your twine into the slit and wrap it around your straw. You do not need to worry about leaving a space between the twine. They actually turn out better if you don't. When you get to the end of the straw, slide your twine into the slit to hold it in place. *** PleaseNote: Make sure to cut off the accordion portion of your straw. Leaving it on, will make it difficult to remove your spiral afterwards. I took my pictures when I was first playing and didn't realize this. ***

- Set them down on to your wax paper and let dry.

- Once it's dry, gently twist and move your twine. You will feel it release from the straw and all the edges will break from each other. Once you see all your edges separated, pull the twine out of the slits and slide the spiral off the straw! Voila!

Well I hope you enjoy my project today! Thank you so much for joining me and make sure that you don't miss any one of these amazing blogs as you hop around. Next up is the talented Sharlene Meyer. Enjoy!

Hello and welcome to Inch of Creativity! My name is Martha Inchley, and I live in London, Ontario - Canada, with my amazing Husband and 2 wonderful children. Although life has certainly gotten busier with 2 young children, I never stop being creative.

Fancy Folds Design Team

I love to participate in challenges!

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